PUNE: Defence Research and Development Organisation today said it is developing an advanced fifth generation fighter aircraft which will have components to monitor the functioning of key components like avionics, air conditioning and pressure-regulating systems.

DRDO has showcased the models of its fifth generation aircraft known as the Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) at various defence exhibitions in the country.

"India's fifth-generation aircraft, which is being developed by DRDO, will have integrated condition monitoring systems covering important systems such as avionics, air-conditioning and pressure-regulating systems," DRDO Chief V K Saraswat said here.

He was addressing a conference on 'Condition Monitoring of Engineering Systems and Structures' organised by the Research and Development Establishment (RDE).

He said the development of sensors, signal processing techniques, decision support systems and software are the main challenges in condition-monitoring and structural-health monitoring.